Design Technology

Design Technology

Design and Technology gives students the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of designing and making functional products. In Lower School, we feel it is vital to nurture creativity and innovation through design, and by exploring the designed and made world in which we all live and work.

Middle and Upper school Design and Technology builds on the skills and knowledge children have already learnt in Lower School or at their primary school. It introduces increasingly sophisticated resources, including dedicated IT resources, manufacturing equipment and specialist teaching. As students progress through, they may be given the opportunity to focus on specific aspects of the subject such as resistant materials, product design, engineering, systems and control, electronics, textiles and graphics. However, at its core, is creativity and imagination. Students learn to design and make products that solve genuine, relevant problems within different contexts whilst considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. To do this effectively, they will acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on additional disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art.

Near the end of Year 9, students have the option to continue their studies either in Design & Technology or Food & Nutrition.

Those that choose to study Design & Technology will develop their skills in DT Resistant Materials, i.e. working mainly with Metals, wood, plastics & Smart materials.

All students will be entered for a formal qualification.

Dependent previous assessments & following discussion, students will be entered either for:

or the WJEC GCSE DT: Resistant Materials, which is assessed via a 30-hour Controlled Assessment project and a 2-hour written examination.

Health & safety is our highest priority in Design & Technology.

Workshops can be dangerous places if you have not been trained to use the equipment properly. We must comply with all relevant Health & Safety regulations, set out by the Health & Safety Executive.

Staff work hard to ensure your child’s safety whilst working in the DT workshop, by applying sensible rules of conduct. Your child will complete a Health & Safety Passport prior to using any equipment, giving them the information & skills needed to work safely.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided for all students & staff.

If a student does not follow these rules or act in an unsafe manner, e.g. acting inappropriately, endangering their safety or that of others, refusing to wear PPE, etc., they will not be allowed to continue, until spoken to by the D&T Subject Leader. Their Head of School will also be informed.